Guide bracket for plungers of flush tanks



June 1951 I. J. MUSIELAK 2,556, 8

GUIDE BRACKET FOR PLUNGERS 0F FLUSH TANKS Filed July 26, 1949 TIE-.1. I E 'E I INVENTOR. Ignatius John Mu sick '2 wwwamwmm Patented June 12, 1951 eo-mEBRAcKET FOR PLUNGERS F FLUSH TANKS Ignatius Ioh n M-usielak, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application July 26, 1949; Serial No. 106321 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a guide bracket for plungers of flush tanks.

An important object of the invention is to provide a guide bracket of the above-mentioned class, designed to minimize wear between the bracket and plunger rod or stem, and which will be more eflicient in operation and longer lasting than conventional guide brackets now in use.

A further object is to provide a guide bracket which is highly simplified, strong and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a guide bracket embodying my invention and) showing the same installed;

Figure 2' is a central vertical section through the guide bracket removed. 7

In the drawings, where, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the usual vertical overflow pipe of a conventional water closet flush tank having a bottom provided with a flush port 6. The flush port 6 forms a seat I for the usual rubber valve element or plunger 8, including a vertical reciprocating rod or stem 9 having a top loop or eye It) for connection with the usual handle-actuated lever, not shown. As is well known, when the handle is actuated for operating the flush mechanism, the rod 9 and plunger 8 are pulled vertically upwardly to uncover the port 6, and when the water has drained from the flush tank, the plunger drops again upon the seat 1.

According to my invention, I provide a guide bracket II for the plunger rod 9 comprising a single continuous section of copper or bronze spring wire, or the like, bent at one end to form an integral longitudinal hook or U-shaped loop I2 to engage over the top edge of the overflow pipe 5, as shown. The bracket [I further comprises a straight vertical portion 13 which extends downwardly along the side of the overflow pipe, and bent at its lower end to provide a plurality of substantially contacting upper coils M, which surround the overflow pipe. The continuous section of wire is further bent to form an intermediate long gradual coil l5 surrounding the pipe 5, and a plurality of substantially contacting lower coils l6 which also surround the 2 pipe. All of the coils l4, l5 and I6 may be arranged to snugly engage the overflow pipe 5, and serve to firmly position the bracket upon the pipe, in the desired location. The lowermost coil l6 has its end extending laterally outwardly from the pipe 5 to form a horizontal straight arm I! bent at its outer end to form upper and lower aligned guide coils l8 and I9, and a long gradual intermediate coil 2!! connecting the upper and lower coils. The coils l8, l9 and 20 constitute a continuous guide sleeve formed of wire for freely slidably receiving the rod 9. The long gradual coils l5 and 20 are provided so that the coils about the pipe 5 and rod 9 will cover the maximum axial length, with the minimum amount of wire being used. I prefer to construct the guide bracket II from wire which is about of an inch in diameter, but this may be varied.

The guide bracket ll constructed as described is very durable and quite cheap to make. It will not change its position upon the pipe 5. There is substantially no wear between the rod 9 and coils [8, I9 and 20 of the guide sleeve, since there are no sharp edges or corners, and the minimum surface contact between the coils and rod. The arm I? being somewhat resilient tends to aid the free action of the rod 9 during the operation of the flush mechanism.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A guide bracket for the plunger of a flush tank to be mounted upon the overflow pipe of such tank, comprising a single continuous section of wire bent at one end to form a supporting hook engaging over the top edge of the overflow pipe, an elongated substantially straight section secured to the hook and extending downwardly longitudinally adjacent to the side of the overflow pipe, the extension being bent at its lower end to form a plurality of upper coils surrounding the overflow pipe and spaced from the top thereof, a plurality of lower coils spaced from the upper coils, and a long gradual coil connecting the upper and lower coils, the lowermost of the lower coils having its end extending transversely of the overflow pipe for forming a substantially horizontal transverse arm, the outer end of said arm being bent to form a plurality of upper coils, a plurality of lower coils spaced below and in axial alignment with the last-named upper coils, and a long gradual coil connecting the last-named upper and lower coils, the last-named upper, lower and gradual coils slidably receiving the plunger rod and forming a vertical guide for the same.

2. A guide bracket for the plunger of a flush tank to be mounted upon the overflow pipe of such tank comprising a continuous section of wire bent to form a plurality of upper coils surrounding the overflow pipe, a plurality of lower coils spaced from the upper coils, and a long gradual coil connecting the upper and lower coils, the lowermost one of said lower coils having its end extending transversely of the over- 1 flow pipe for forming a substantially horizontal arm, the outer end of said arm being bent to form a plurality of upper coils, a plurality of lower coils spaced below and in axial alignment with the last named upper coils, and a long gradual coil connecting the last named upper and lower coils, the last named upper, lower and gradual coils slidably receiving the plunger rod and forming a vertical guide for the same, and means connected with the uppermost one of the first named upper coils and with the overflow pipe for securing the guide bracket to the pipe.

IGNATIUS JOHN MUSIELAK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,120,836 Merewether Dec. 15, 1914 1,593,432 Campbell July 20, 1926 

